Marine Insurance
Marine insurance covers loss or damage to goods, cargo, and vessels while in transit or on the water, and in commercial insurance it most often shows up as inland marine coverage, which despite the name has nothing to do with the ocean; it covers property in transit over land, at a temporary location, or that moves between locations, like a contractor's tools, a photographer's equipment, or goods being shipped by truck. The Allen Thomas Group helps businesses figure out whether they actually need true ocean marine coverage, inland marine coverage, or both.
Ocean Marine vs. Inland Marine
| Type | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Ocean Marine | Cargo and vessels transported over water, including international shipping |
| Inland Marine | Movable business property, goods in transit over land, and equipment used away from a fixed location |
What Inland Marine Typically Covers
- Contractor's tools and equipment
- Goods in transit by truck or rail
- Business property temporarily located at a client's site
- Mobile medical or dental equipment
- Cameras, laptops, and electronics for mobile or on-location businesses
Why Most Businesses Actually Need Inland Marine, Not Ocean Marine
Standard commercial property policies typically only cover property at a fixed, described location. Anything that regularly leaves the building, a contractor's tools riding in a truck, a photographer's gear at a shoot, a trade show display in transit, isn't covered by that property policy while it's away from the premises. A contractor whose tools get stolen out of a job site truck overnight finds out fast whether inland marine coverage was in place or not, since that's exactly the gap it's built to close.
How The Allen Thomas Group Can Help You
We'll help you understand exactly how marine insurance affects your coverage and cost, then shop your policy across 15+ A-rated carriers to find the right fit.
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